Vajra Heart Revisited

Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s impeccable qualities were evident to all who met him and received pith instructions and empowerments from him. His teachings on mind nature and the path of the Great Perfection were unparalled. He had confidence and utterly pure trust based on the personal, direct understanding that buddha nature really is present in every sentient being. Just like oil is present in each and every sesame seed, any sentient being can realize the awakened state and thus has the basis for enlightenment.

These pith instructions in Vajra Heart Revisited are concise, brilliant expositions on the path of Trekcho, starting with the ground, the preliminaries, shamatha, and viphashyana, Three Vital Words, up to and including teachings on guru yoga, and bardo. They are extremely clear explanations on all aspect of practice that the Dzogchen yogi can use as a manual of guidance and inspiration. They include key topics such as differentiating mind and awareness and threefold sky practice, among others. It is all that is necessary to attain full mastery and realization.

The depth of Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche’s actual understanding was unsurpassed, and many Nyingma and Kagyü masters stood in awe of his comprehensive knowledge. He had thoroughly studied and practiced the Atiyoga, and his teachings on Dzogchen transformed the lives of those he touched with gentle, penetrating clarity. As a meditation teacher and a master of initiations, he was without peer.

As he said, “We should focus our minds on simplicity, the state of buddhahood, nonconceptual wakefulness… Although you will not arrive at enlightenment immediately, if you aim towards it, as if intending to go to Bodhgaya, then no matter what happens on the way, if you never give up you will arrive. Since harm occurs in the mind, whatever disturbances arise in this body from aggregates, elements, and sense factors, just let go again and again into unfabricated naturalness. Then you will reach your destination, the state of Buddhahood”.